Accueil › Blog › Before you book
Before you book an activity in Dubai: what to know and what to bring
Quick answer Book at least 24 hours ahead, check the age, height and dress required, and arrive early: boats and flights leave on time. Most tickets are non-refundable and transfer is often extra. The rules below are the ones shown on each of our pages; always read the activity page before you pay.
In this article
A successful activity often comes down to one detail: forgotten socks, a refused outfit, a child too small for the attraction. Here are the points to check before booking, family by family, with a link to each activity page.
Parks and attractions
- Socks. Non-slip socks are compulsory at Play DXB (not allowed under 4) and socks are compulsory at OliOli, for children and adults alike.
- Decent dress at the The View at The Palm observatory: no beachwear or gym clothes.
- Flat shoes at teamLab Phenomena: high heels are not allowed, and children aged 12 and under stay accompanied.
- Opening hours. They sometimes change during school holidays: confirm them on the day of your visit. For example, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opens 10am to 6pm every day.
At sea: yachts, dhow, speedboat
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. For the shared yacht meal, the one-hour tour and the dinner cruise, the meeting point is Dubai Marina, behind the Al Majara towers (DMCC metro). The boat leaves on time.
- Children. Under-2s stay in the saloon with an adult, and life jackets are compulsory for children under 9.
- On board. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, alcohol included. No swimming, and shoes come off when boarding. The meals on the yachts and the dinner cruise are halal.
- Marina dhow. The dhow boards at 8:15pm and leaves between 8:45pm and 9pm, for a 1h30 cruise with a halal buffet.
- Speedboat. The speedboat is not allowed for pregnant women, children under 5 and people over 65, and not recommended with back problems.
- Refunds. These trips are non-refundable: a date change can be considered depending on availability.
Desert: safari and quad
- Safari timings. The Discovery Safari and the Premium Safari pick up in Dubai and Sharjah: departure between 1pm and 2pm from November to April, between 2pm and 3pm the rest of the year, return between 9pm and 10pm depending on traffic.
- Meals. Dinner is 100% halal, with vegan options. Dune bashing lasts about 10 minutes.
- Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi safari picks up only in Abu Dhabi city.
- Quad. No license is needed. 150 cc quad from age 8, 250 cc from age 12, 350 cc from age 16: see the quad and buggy page.
Helicopter, zipline and thrills
| Activity | Check before you book |
|---|---|
| Dubai helicopter | Arrive 45 minutes early, photo ID, weigh-in at check-in, children from age 2 with an adult, flight depends on the weather |
| Marina zipline | Ages 12 to 65, over 130 cm, 45 to 100 kg, closed shoes, photo ID, video included |
| Dinner in the Sky | From age 8, minimum height 110 cm, maximum weight 150 kg, 1h30 duration |
| Gyrocopter | For ages 18 and over, 20-minute open-cockpit flight, depends on the weather |
Day tours
- Departure around 9am for the Abu Dhabi tours, the Dubai City Tour and the 6 Emirates tour. The time can be moved earlier or later on request.
- What is not included. The vehicle is a private 7-seater, meals are not included and no entrance tickets are included, except free entries such as Emirates Palace or Heritage Village.
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Shoulders and knees covered for everyone; long trousers for men; loose clothing covering arms and legs and a headscarf for women. Our guide what to wear in Dubai gives the details.
Guide's tip: message us on WhatsApp before booking if your case is outside the rule (a child at the height limit, a dietary need, a particular departure time). We reply in French.
Choose your activity
All our pages show age, height, timings and what is included.
See activitiesAsk a question on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book?
At least 24 hours ahead. In high season, book earlier for activities with limited places.
Are tickets refundable?
Most tickets are non-refundable. For boat trips, a date change can be considered depending on availability.
Is transfer included?
Often not: each activity page says so. It is included for the safaris, day tours and the Oman cruise.
Are the meals on cruises and safaris halal?
Yes for the safari (with vegan options), the shared yachts, the shared dinner cruise and the Marina dhow.
What if I arrive late?
Boats and flights leave on time. If you are late there is no refund: arrive 20 to 30 minutes early for a boat and 45 minutes early for the helicopter.